🔗 Share this article

The co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business with his partner, disclosed that he will independently develop the controversial flavor within an individual series highlighting causes the company was barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Between Creators and Parent Company

The recent development intensifies the ongoing tension between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders maintain that the parent company and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem of Solidarity

The entrepreneur announced through an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen stated in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, which mirror those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand that was first created in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes plus Future Plans

The founder stated that he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that the company was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

The announcement follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, following many years of involvement, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy was compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen remarked how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill the social mission, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Parent company limitations on social activism
• Personal product development from original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership and ethical values